Re: New to the group

[Christian Selig]

Hello Susan,
hello others,

Susan Stewart wrote:

> Hello everyone!  I'm a little new to the group, so if this is already 
> going on and I missed it let me know...


Not much. I'm List Admin and receive 1-2 spam emails to the list that I 
have to delete, but there's not much else going on :-/

> I was wondering whether or not there's been any attempt to organize a 
> group to help introduce GNU/Linux and GNU educational tools to public 
> schools.  One might expect under funded public schools to gravitate 
> immediately toward free software as more and more becomes available to 
> suit their needs.  However, at least in the United States, Windows 
> admins are a dime a dozen, but there is a scarcity of people familiar 
> with free software willing to work for what schools are able to pay 
> (which is below the poverty line in some districts around here -- US 
> teachers are among our lowest paid professions).
>
> I would really like to see a push to get schools using free software. 
> I'm sure that we are all aware of the devastating effects of high 
> software licensing costs on schools. However, unless these schools are 
> given the resources to administer GNU/Linux based systems, proprietary 
> software will remain their only option.  Making free software a viable 
> option for public schools would involve finding volunteers from local 
> LUGs, universities, businesses, etc. to help with initial setup and with 
> training school staff to use and maintain the systems.  Unless teachers 
> know how to use it, and staff is able to maintain the system, all of our 
> development efforts will amount to naught.
>
> In conjunction with this effort, I would like to establish resources for 
> schools interested in beginning computer related extracurricular 
> programs.  We could provide schools with a framework from which to build 
> programs that will enrich students not only with added opportunities to 
> acquire computer skills, but with the guiding ideals of free software: 
> freedom and cooperation.
>
> I have put a lot of thought into how these goals could be accomplished, 
> and would be more than happy to make a more complete project proposal if 
> anyone is interested.

I recognize many of the arguments, they have often been mentioned. They 
range from social (->poverty) to practical (->adminstration).

Indeed we (German FSuB e.V., "Association for Free Software and 
Education") have identified the lack of GNU/Linux support and training 
as a main reason why so few schools use Free Software.

In Germany, we have a group called PingoS 
(http://www.pingos.schulnetz.org/) which is a network of volunteers that 
helps local schools; they express their support for "Linux" (sic!), but 
pitily some also help with Windows adminstration. They are a potential 
partner. I assume that the situation is worse in other European countries.

The questions for a setting up a project would be:
- At which level? National, International?
- Who manages the project (US, Europe)?
- Who can donate resources?
- How would the work of the project look like, specifially?
- Which existing group/s are willing to cooperate?

Please outline your ideas :-)

After June, I will even be able to donate Web space and bandwidth. What 
about including GNU/Linux introducory materials targeted at schools, in 
multiple languages? I have already written some ...

Bye,
  Christian

--
I am chaos.  I am the substance from which your artists and scientists
build rhythms.  I am the spirit with which your children and clowns
laugh in happy anarchy.  I am chaos. I am alive, and tell you that you
are free. - Eris, Goddess Of Chaos, Discord & Confusion